Timeline of famous man’s injunction bid over reporting of allegations

A judge has dismissed a famous man’s bid for an injunction to prevent two media organisations from publishing allegations about him, but has ruled that he can take his case to the Court of Appeal.

The well-known man brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN), which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4, Good Morning Britain and Channel 5, and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian.

Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London the allegations they want to report involve the man’s alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities”, but the man sought an injunction because of a risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts.

Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the injunction bid on Tuesday, but ruled that the man could take his case to the Court of Appeal.

Here, we look at the series of events leading up to the ruling.

Early 2022

A reporter for The Guardian is told about allegations against the man, including from two confidential sources, according to GNM and ITN’s lawyers.

May 2022

GNM approaches the unnamed man about “allegations of inappropriate conduct”, which are denied and do not lead to a published article, Mr Justice Nicklin said in his judgment.

April 2023

The Guardian and ITN agree to work together on an investigation into the unnamed man.

May 18, 2026

The two media organisations send letters to the man, asking him to comment on the allegations in the joint probe. After receiving these letters, he attempted suicide.

He was later admitted to a private psychiatric hospital as a voluntary patient.

Summer 2026

The man absconds from the private hospital and attempts suicide again.

Later in the summer he is detained under the Mental Health Act for assessment, and later transferred to an NHS hospital for treatment.

10 September

The man is discharged from the NHS hospital after it is deemed that continued detention under the Mental Health Act is not necessary.

16 October

A preliminary hearing takes place at the High Court in London ahead of an expedited trial. The man was previously granted anonymity.

22 October

The man is detained under the Mental Health Act for assessment again and transferred to an NHS hospital.

27 October

A two-day trial in London takes place.

3 November

Mr Justice Nicklin dismisses the bid for an injunction and grants permission to appeal.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.